Expert: Joel S. Teig, DMD, Diplomate ABOMS, retired - 2/18/2005

Question
Hello,

I've just come from an orthodontic consultation inwhich the possibility of this procedure was disscussed. I'm a 42 year old male who has a strong overbite,some crowding and a few crooked teeth. I know braces are needed, however this surgery has caused some hesitation on my part. In your opinion, are there any serious or likely complications to be concerned about?

Thanks,


Answer
Mike - Mike I have performed hundreds of sagittal split osteotomies and the more informed you become the better chance of personal comfort with the procedure.

The procedure is quite straight forward, but as with any surgery there are complications.  The two main complications are poor jaw alignment is the surgeon is not careful and injury to the inferior alveolar nerve.  This nerve runs through the middle of the jaw bone and is the one that your dentist injects and make your lower lip and chin numb.  Once the bone is split meticulous dissection of the nerve from  the bone decreases dramatically the chance of permanent numbness and any numbness then is usually only temporary.

I hope what you get from me is that the surgeon you chose must be a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who has performed a number of these.  There is a direct correlation between the number performed and the complication rate.

If you have further questions do not hesitate to contact me again.